Across Africa, plastic waste has become part of everyday life. From busy city streets to rivers and coastlines, millions of plastic bottles are discarded daily, yet very little is recovered or recycled. Africa now generates over 17 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, while Ghana alone produces more than 1.1 million tonnes each year, with only about 5% recycled. PET bottles continue to grow rapidly as one of the continent’s largest waste streams, creating increasing environmental pressure on communities and marine ecosystems.

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At the same time, West Africa remains heavily dependent on imported textiles and synthetic fabrics. Polyester dominates mass-market clothing in Ghana, accounting for approximately 61% of textile imports, while Ghana’s fabric import market is estimated at $300M–$600M annually.

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This presents more than an environmental challenge; it reveals a major industrial opportunity. Africa faces both a plastic waste crisis and a textile supply gap.

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SafiYarn exists to change this trajectory by transforming plastic waste into sustainable yarns and fabrics, building a circular manufacturing future rooted in Africa.